Hill House

If you’ve been following along, you’ll know we were lucky enough to get a grant from the City of Portland.  This is indeed a great thing.  Green roofs have many benefits – here is a brief explanation from the City of Portland web site:

“Ecoroofs replace conventional roofing with a living, breathing vegetated roof system. An ecoroof consists of a layer of vegetation over a growing medium on top of a synthetic, waterproof membrane. An ecoroof significantly decreases stormwater runoff, saves energy, reduces pollution and erosion, and helps preserve  fish habitat.

Ecoroofs also absorb carbon dioxide, cool urban heat islands, and filter air pollutants. Ecoroofs increase habitat for birds and insects and provide much needed greenspace for urban dwellers.”

In keeping with our general gravitational pull to try to do something different and ultimately more interesting than the ‘norm’, we new we needed the right team to help us figure this out.  Green roofs are extremely tricky to install successfully when you add into the equation weight restrictions and limited soil depths.  Basically, we have tundra conditions less than 500 fee above sea level – not to mention complete drought in the summer for 3 months.  When we were awarded the grant, we knew exactly who to work with.  2.ink studio is more than willing to take a chance with us.  They have a great eye for conceptual design and the fit so far has been perfect.  I have attached some images below from our first presentation meeting with them.  They developed a series of conceptual ideas breaking out the 3 green roof decks we have on floors 2 through 4.  These decks are all North facing and will see little, if any lighting.  This image shows a layered approach, with ferns around the perimeter with miniature hastas and smaller mexican grasses.  To add a layer of contrast and to flex the brightness of the colors, 2.ink inserted rows of small basalt blocks.

conceptual idea of roof deck

The roof itself is both technically and conceptually different.  Technically, it will get sun and during the 2-3 months in the middle of the summer when we don’t have rain, it will need to be watered.  Our plan is to use a gray water system sized to allow us to sprinkler irrigate the roof all year as needed with recycled water.  Because the roof is visible from neighbors behind us, and because we’ll be using it as outdoor space, we really wanted to push the design in a direction that is flexible, rhythmically interesting and graphic.  There were 4 conceptual options we looked into, but this one, with it’s undulating plan and colors seemed like the best fit.

conceptual plan for green roof

Another component to consider with the green roof is the plant species and how those species behave throughout the year.  Ideally, you’d want 50% or more evergreen so you have some coverage during the winter.  2.ink developed a calendar that shows what species thrive during specific times during the year.  For someone who is visual by nature, this is an excellent tool for us.  This file is a little difficult to read, but you get the idea.  At the moment, these concepts are being detailed further  to the point of construction drawings.

calendar of plant activity

arborist in the tree

view down hill

Thanks to Mike from All Around Arbor, we have been relieved of approximately 12 maple trees.  Mike and his crew took each tree down by hand from the top down.  The wood is still on site.  We had them cut it into 10′ sections.  We’re planning to keep a little for ourselves, but if there are any furniture makers out there in Portland, or you just have a cold house and need firewood, please contact me.  Mike is great, in addition to felling trees, he is a certified arborist and has fantastic knowledge of not only the trees, but the ground, soil types and micro conditions that can help a tree survive or lead to it’s demise.  At the moment, the site looks like a tornado touched down.

Here is an image of the final design for the foundation system.  Structural engineering should be buttoned up next week and we’re looking to finally submit for permit the following week….stay tuned for more!

foundation